Display-rack.



W. T. HORMES.

DISPLAY RACK.

APPLICATION FILED IAN-20.1915- Patented Jan. 23, 1917.

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mr NORRIS PEYERS co.. PNOTU-LITHO-. msmuamn. u c.

W. T. HORMES.

DISPLAY RACK.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 20. 1915.

1 213 646. Patented Jan. 23,1917.

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T. HOEMES, 0.? GOVANS, IQARYLAND, ASSIGNOR Ti) SOLGIVION ErlIIt'IlvIEL, OF

BALTIMQRE, MARYLAN D.

DISPLAY-RACK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 20, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, lVILLIAM T. Homers, a citizen of the United States, residing at Govans, in the county of Baltimore and State of Maryland, have invented new and useful improvements in Display-Racks, of which the following is a s1 ecification.

This invention is a device for displaying or exhibiting goods, and relates to that type of display device wherein a rotatable rack is employed for supporting the goods to be displayed, which rack is movable to and from a position within a case or compart ment. Such cases or compartments are usually constructed with glass walls or panels, so that the goods on display may be readily seen by prospective customers passing the same, and at the same time be protected from dust and promiscuous handling. lVhen it is desired to more closely inspect the goods upon display, the rack is moved to the forward edge of the case or compartment, and then rotated at will, to permit of convenient inspection and selection. In view of the fact that economy of floor space demands that the area occupied by the case or compartment be as small as possible, it is usually customary to construct the case or compartment of oblong shape, the rack or supporting member conforming to this shape, being of a length greater than the width of the case. To provide the necessary clearance 'for the rotation of a rack, said rack is so mounted as to be bodily moved to a point near the front of the case, the distance being sufficient to permit the ends of the rack to clear the rear wall or panel of the case, when the rack is rotated. Heretofore display racks ofthis type have been usually employed for the storing and display of ready made garments, such as mens and boys clothing, womens dresses and the like.

One of the objects of the present invention is to broaden the field of usefulness of such display racks, by providing simple and eliicient means whereby smaller articles of merchandise may be stored and exhibited, and yet be easy of access when removal or close examination is desired.

A further object is to provide means for supporting and displaying articles that are not as conveniently supported as garments,

Patented Jan. 23, 1%?1'22 Serial No. 3,332.

by providing a plurality of independent panels or supports, each capable of supportarticles to be displayed, and all combined in a unitary structure mounted upon a rotatable support arranged to be moved back and forth within the case or compartment, said panels or supports being free to swing when the rotatable support is in its outermost position.

A further object is to provide means for preventing independent swinging of the panels or supports except when the rotatable support is in its outermost position.

A further object is to provide means for automatically releasing said panels when the racl: has been moved to its forward or outermost position, and rotated to the proper position for displaying the merchan dise supported by the panels.

A further object is to provide means to automatically close and lock said panels as the rotatable supportis turned into position for returning the device into the ase, thereby preventing the panels fouling any portion oi. the walls of the case.

The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 a top plan riew illustrating a case containing my improved display rack, the top of the case being removed, the rael-r being shown in its rearmost position. Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating the rack in its outer position. 3 is a front elevation with the rack in its rearmost position within the case. Fig. l is a detail view illustrating one of the panels. Fig. 5 is a detail view illustrating the automatic locking device for the panels. Fig. 6 is a detail of the panel controlling cam. Fig. 7 is a similar view of a slight modification of the cam. Fig. 8 is a detail view illustrating the panel s 3t1Cll1 members. Fig. 9 is a detail view of the means for locking the rack against rotation when in rearward position.

Referring to the drawing, 10 designates a case of any suitable or preferred construction, that shown being provided with front or door sections 11 constructed of glass, and capable of being removed to permit movement oi? the cisplay racl: a forward posi tion. The bottom of the case is provided with a channel 13, the upper edges of which are formed as guides 1 1:, between which the support or carriage 15 is mounted to reciprocate. Said carriage is provided with a tubular boss 16 which rotatably supports a shaft 17 provided with upper and lower cross heads 18 connected by vertical rods 19.

The wings or panels for supporting the goods to be displayed, are each built up of a metal frame-work, 20, preferably tubing, properly braced, containing a suitable panel 21, which may or may not be covered with a soft material, such as burlap. The frame of each wing is provided at top and bottom on one side, with pintles 22, 23, the pintles 22 being somewhat longer than the pintles 23. These pintles are designed to enter suitably spaced holes or perforations in the cross-heads 18, the pintles 22 being of sulicient height to permit of their insertion into the holes of the upper cross-head and to allow the lower pintles 23 to be swung in over the lower cross-head and dropped into the proper hole in the latter. In this man ner the wing is securely retained in position but free to swing from side to side on the pintles. To one end of each panel is secured a spacing member 25 provided with fingers 26 extending between contiguous panels for the purpose of preventing collision between the panels and interference of the goods carried by the respective panels.

The means for controlling the panels during the reciprocal movements of the carriage, comprises a disk 27 preferably circular in form with its center conforming to the axis of the shaft 17, said disk being rigidly secured to the carriage in any suitable manner. The edge of said disk, at the forward portion thereof is provided with a cam slot 28, preferably of approximately V-shape, the walls of the slot being rounded and flared, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 6. Rigidly secured to the cross heads 18 are guide rods 29 which are suitably connected by brace rods 30. The panels, as shown, are arranged in two parallel series, the end panels 31 of each series being connected by links 32 to flanges 33 of slides 34:, mounted to reciprocate upon the guide rods 29. Each slide 3 1 is provided at its forward edge with a lug or projection 35, and springs 36 connecting the links 32 with the cross heads 18 act to hold said lugs or projections in yielding engagement with the peripheral edge of the disk 27.

If desired, means may be provided for locking the shaft 17 against rotation during the reciprocable movement of the carriage, and for purposes of illustration I have shown the construction described and claimed in Letters Patent 991,16l, granted to Andrew E. Miller, May 2, 1911. This construction. comprises a disk 10 secured to the shaft 17 and provided with pins 11 extended be- 1, the spring 36, acting on the slides 3a,.

holds the lugs or projections 35 against the edge of the disk 27, and owing to the fact that said slides cannot move inwardly toward the shaft 17, the end panels 31 are held against pivotal movement by reason of the connection of the links 32 with said end panels and said slide. When it is desired to display the goods supported by the panels, the carriage supporting the shaft 17 is moved forward to the position illustrated in Fig. 2, and the shaft rotated so as to bring the cross heads 18 substantially parallel with the rear wall of the case. As the shaft is rotated the lug or projection 35 of one of the slides 34: engages one of the rounded walls of the slot 28, and as the rotation of the shaft continues, the spring 36 draws said lug or projection into said slot. This movement causes the slide 34 to also move toward the shaft 17, and through the medium of the links 32, moves the end panels to which said links are connected, outwardly against the ends of the front opening of the case, as illustrated in Fig. 2. In this positionthe end panels engaging the ends of the front opening will prevent rotation of the shaft. At the same time the remaining panels, between the end panels exposed before the front opening of the case, may be swung on their respective pivots to permit of ready and easy examination of the articles supported by the panels. When it is desired to return the rack to its rearward position, or to bring the rear panels to the front, the rack is rotated by the operator, causing the slide 3 1 to move out of the slot 28, thereby closing the end panels into parallel position with the remaining panels of the series, and as the rotation of the rack is continued, the said panels will be locked when the lug 35 engages the circular periphery of the cam. The rack may then be rotated until it is in position'to be returned within the case, or if it is desired to inspect the remaining panels, the rotation is continued until the finger of the other slide 3% is moved into the slot 28 by the spring 36.

In Fig. 7 is illustrated a modified form-of the cam. In this type the cam is in the form of a circular flange 27 provided with an offset portion 28 similar in contour to the slot 28. The slides 34 are mounted upon guide rods 29 and are connected by links 3:2 with the end panels 31. Springs similar to spring 36, Figs. 1 and 2, act to hold the slides in engagement with the inner face of the flange 27. The operation is the same as that of the first described form.

The advantages and operation of my improved display rack will be readily apparent from the foregoing description. By providing a series of pivoted panels mounted upon the rotatable and reciprocable support located Within a suitable casing I have provided simple means by which small articles may be conveniently supported and displayed. My improved display rack is particularly useful for supporting and displaying small articlesfsuch as lace collars, cuffs, ties, vests, and similar articles, although not limited thereto, as means may be provided for supporting lace curtains, shoes, hosiery, and almost any article which it may be desirable to display in this manner.

It will be understood that while the invention is illustrated and described as applied to structure including a case or cabinet, it is not limited thereto, as a display rack of considerable utility may be constructed in accordance with the invention, with which a case or cabinet is not required.

Having thus explained the nature of my invention and described an operative manner of constructing and using the same, although without attempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be made, or all of the forms of its use, what I claim is 1. In a display rack of the character described, the combination with a case or cabinet, of a rotatable shaft mounted to reciprocate to and from a position within the case or cabinet, and a plurality of oppositely disposed sets of parallel panels supported by said shaft for pivotal movement independent of the rotation of said shaft, the combined length of the sets of panels being greater than the width of said case or cabinet.

2. In a display rack of the character described, the combination with a case or cabinet, of a rotatable shaft mounted to reciprocate to and from a position within the case or cabinet, a plurality of parallel panels arranged in oppositely disposed sets and pivotally supported by said shaft, and means independent of the case or cabinet for simultaneously preventing pivotal movement of all said panels.

3. In a display rack of the character described, the combination with a case or cabinet, of a rotatable shaft mounted to reciprocate to and from a position within the case or cabinet, a plurality of parallel panels arranged in oppositely disposed sets and pivotally supported by said shaft, and means independent of the case or cabinet cooperating with the end panels for simultaneously preventing pivotal movement of all of said panels.

i. In a display rack of the character described, the combination with a case or cabinet, of a rotatable shaft mounted to reciprocate to and from a position within the case or cabinet, spaced apart cross heads secured to said shaft, and a plurality of parallel panels arranged in oppositely disposed sets and pivotally attached to opposite edges of said cross heads, the combined length of the sets of panels being greater than the width of said case or cabinet.

5. In a display rack of the character described, the combination vith a case or cabinet, of a. rotatable shaft mounted to reciprocate to and from a position within the case or cabinet, spaced apart cross heads secured to said shaft, a plurality of parallel panels arranged in oppositely disposed sets and pivotally supported by said cross heads, and means independent of the case or cabinet cooperating with the end panels for simultaneously preventing pivotal movement of all of said panels.

6. In a display rack of the character de scribed, the combination with a case or cabinet, of a rotatable shaft mounted to recipro cate to and from a position within the case or cabinet, a plurality of parallel panels arranged in oppositely disposed sets and pivotally supported by said shaft, andmeans independent of the case or cabinet for simultaneously preventing pivotal movement of all of said panels, and for automatically releasing all of the panels of either set when the shaft is in predetermined positions in its rotative movement.

7. In a display rack of the character described, the combination with a case or cabinet having a front opening, of a rotatable shaft mounted to reciprocate to and from a position within the case or cabinet, a plurality of panels arranged in parallel relation and pivotally supported by said shaft, and means for locking the end panels in engagement with the ends of said front opening to prevent pivotal movement of said shaft.

8. In a display rack of the character described, the combination with a case or cabinet, of a rotatable shaft mounted to reciprocate to and from a position within the case or cabinet, a plurality of panels arranged in parallel relation and pivotally supported by said shaft, a non-rotatable cam disk concentric with said shaft, and means cooperating with said disk for normally preventing pivotal movement of said panels on their support.

9. In a display rack of the character described, the combination with a case or cabinet, of a rotatable shaft mounted to reciprocate to and from a position within the case or cabinet, a plurality of panels pivotally supported by said shaft, a non-rotatable cam disk concentric with and 1ndependent of the shaft, slides in engagement with said cam disk, and means connected with said slides for preventing pivotal movement of said panels on their support.

10. In a display rack of the character described, the combination with a case or cabinet, of a rotatable shaft mounted to reciprocate to and from a position within the case or cabinet, a plurality of panels pivotally supported by said shaft, a non-rotatable cam disk concentric with and independent of said shaft, slides in engagement with said cam disk, and links connecting the end panels with said slides,

11. In a display rack of the character described, a shaft, a plurality of panels arranged in parallel relation and pivotally supported by said shaft, a cam disk concentric with said shaft, said cam disk and said shaft being relatively rotatable, and means cooperating with said cam disk for normally preventing pivotal movement of said panels on their support.

12. In a display rack of the character described, the combination with a case or cabinet, of a rotatable shaft mounted to reciprocate to and from a position within the case or cabinet, a plurality of panels pivotally supported by said shaft, guides supported by said shaft, slides mounted to reciprocate on said guides, links connecting the end panels with said slides, and means for preventing movement of said slides upon said guides.

13. In a display rack of the character described, the combination with a case or cabinet, of a rotatable shaft mounted to reciprocate to and from a position within the case or cabinet, a plurality of panels pivotally supported by said shaft, movable means carriedby said shaft for imparting plvotal movement to the end panels, and means co operating with said movable means and stationary with respect thereto for controlling the actuation thereof.

14:. In a display rack of the character de scribed, the combination with a case or cablnet, of a rotatable shaft mounted to reciprocate to and from a position within the case or cabinet, a plurality of panels pivotally supported by said shaft, movable means carried by said shaft for imparting pivotal movement to the end panels, and a cam concentric with said shaft and stationary with respect thereto for controlling the actuation of said panel moving means.

15. In a display rack of the character described, the combination with a case or cabinet, of a rotatable shaft mounted to reciprocate to and from a position within the case or cabinet, a plurality of panels pivotally supported by said shaft, guides supported by said shaft, slides mounted to reciprocate on said guides, links connecting the end panels with said slides, and a non-rotatable cam concentric with and independent of said shaft and engaged by said slides.

16. In a display rack of the character described, the combination with a case or cabinet, of a rotatable shaft mounted to reciprocate to and from a position within the case or cabinet, a plurality of panels pivotally supported by said shaft, slides connected with the end panels, a non-rotatable cam concentric with and independent of said shaft, and means for yieldingly holding said slides in engagement with said cam.

17. In a display rack of the character de scribed, the combination with a case or cabinet, of a rotatable shaft mounted to reciprocate to and from a position within the case or cabinet, a plurality of panels pivotally supported by said shaft, a non-rotatable cam concentric with and independent of said shaft, slides connected with the end panels, and springs for holding the slides yieldingly against said cam, said springs being connected to a part carried by said shaft.

18. In a display rack of the character described, the combination with a case or cabinet, of a rotatable shaft, mounted to reciprocate to and from a position within the case or cabinet, a plurality of panels pivotally supported by said shaft, a non-rotatable cam concentric with said shaft and provided with a slot leading in from the periphery thereof, slides connected with the end panels and adapted to enter said slot, and springs connected with said slides and holding the latter yieldingly against said cam.

19. In a display rack of the character described, the combination with a case or cabinet, of a rotatable shaft mounted to reciprocate to and from a position within the case or cabinet, a plurality of panels pivotally supported by said shaft, a nonrotatable cam concentric with said shaft and provided with a slot leading in from the periphery thereof, and means yieldingly engaging said cam and adapted to enter said slot to impart pivotal movement to the end panels.

20. In a display rack of the character described, the combination with a case or cabinet, of a rotatable shaft mounted to reciprocate to and from a position within the case or cabinet, a plurality of panels pivotally supported by said shaft, a non-rotatable circular cam concentric with said shaft and provided with a slot leading in. from the periphery thereof, guide rods carried by said shaft, slides mounted to reciprocate upon said guide rods and adapted to enter said slot, links connecting said guide rods with the end panels, and means for holding said. slides yieldingly against the periphery of said cam.

21. In a display rack of the character described, the combination with a case or cabinet, of a rotatable shaft mounted to reciprocate to and from a position within the case or cabinet, and a plurality of panels arranged in parallel relation and pivotally supported by said shaft, means for locking said panels against pivotal movement and including means operated by rotation of said shaft to initiate pivotal movement of the end panels.

In a display rack of the character described, the combination with a case or cabinet, of a rotatable shaft mounted to reciprocate to and from a position within said case or cabinet, a plurality of panels pivotally supported by said shaft and including one or more locking panels, and means for automatically swinging said locking panels when said shaft is rotated to or from a predetermined position.

23. In a display cabinet of the character described, the combination with a case or cabinet, of a. rotatable shaft mounted to re ciprocate to and from a position within the case or cabinet, a plurality of panels arranged in parallel relation and pivotally supported by said shaft, means for preventing oivotal movement of all of said panels while said shaft is in a rearward position, and for imparting pivotal movement to a portion of said panels when the shaft has been partially rotated in its forward position.

24:. In a display cabinet of the character described, the combination with a case or cabinet, of a rotatable shaft mounted to reciprocate to and from a position within said case or cabinet, a plurality of panels arranged in parallel relation and pivotally supported by said shaft, a non rotatable cam concentric with and independent of said shaft, and panel controlling members cotiperating with said cam to pr vent pivotal movement of all of said panels while said shaft is in rearward posi tion, and for imparting pivotal movement to a portion of said-panels when the shaft has been partially rotated in its forward position.

25. A rotatable display rack of the character described, comprising a plurality of members mounted for pivotal movement and including one or more locking members, and means for automatically imparting pivotal movement to said locking members when said rack is rotated in either direction from a predetermined position.

26. A rotatable display rack of the charactcr described, comprising a plurality of members mounted for pivotal movement, means carried by said rack and movable relatively thereto for imparting pivotal movement to one or more of said members, and means cooperating with said movable means and stationary with respect thereto for controlling the actuation thereof.

2'7. A display rack of the character described comprismg a rotatable shaft, means for supporting the same, a plurality of parallel panels supported by the shaft, said panels being arranged in oppositely disposed sets, and means for simultaneously preventing pivotal movement of all of said panels and for releasing all of the panels of either set when the shaft is in predetermined positions in its rotative movement.

28. A display rack of the character described comprising a rotatable shaft, means for supporting the same, a plurality of panels pivotally supported by said shaft, means carried by the shaft and movable relatively thereto for imparting pivotal movement to the end panels, and means cooperating with said movable means and stationary with respect thereto for controlling the actuation thereof.

29. A display rack of the character described comprising a rotatable shaft, means for supporting the same, a plurality of panels pivotally supported by said shaft, movable means carried by the shaft for imparting pivotal movement to the end panels, and a cam concentric with said shaft and stationary with respect thereto and controlling the actuation of said panel moving means.

30. A display rack of the character described comprising a rotatable shaft, means for supporting the same, a plurality of panels pivotally supported by said shaft, slides connected with the end panels, a cam concentric with and independent of said shaft, and means for yieldingly holding said slides in engagement with said cam.

31. A display rack of the character de scribed comprising a rotatable shaft, means for supporting the same, a plurality of panels pivotally supported by said shaft, a nonrotatable cam concentric with said shaft and provided with a slot leading in from the periphery thereof, and means yieldingly engaging said cam and adapted to enter said slot to impart pivotal movement to the end panels.

A display rack of the character described comprising a rotatable shaft, means for supporting the same, and a plurality of panels arranged in parallel relation and pivotally supported by said shaft, means for locking said panels against pivotal movement, said locking means including means operated by rotation of said shaft in either direction from a predetermined position to initiate pivotal movement of the end panels.

83. A display rack of the character described comprising a rotatable shaf means for supporting the same, a plurality of panels pivotally supported by said shaft and including one or more means for automatically swinging said locking panels When said shaft is rotated in either direction from a predetermined position.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for locking panels, andfive cents In testimony whereoi I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

WILLIAM T. HORMES.

Witnesses E. A. CAMPBELL,

S. MCKAY.

each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). C. 

